Poetic pen

Tell a Tale

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Author ~ AMITA

Author - Amita

These 2 word have been on my mind for a long time. 
whenever i read a book whch mentions its author as Best Seller of so nd so, i drem of my name being ther. 
Whenever i stop by a book store and see the bookshelves with an intersying book by some new author, i remind myself of seeing my book there.
I have thought many times on what should i write on. I thought of writin a love story but then dropped it. i have even consideed writing on my professional stream - Software Testing... May be i would some day....

here is the surprise - I have  decided to write my pregancy experience...N) I know almost ever blogger mother does that. But then it is something to be documented... atleast i feel so. 

I am very very slow at realizing my dream. Hope o do ge it done fast and most importantI hope that my words coe out to be good enough to be printd into a book·····





writren in response to Indispire

Friday, April 25, 2014

I Inspire on INDISPIRE

yaaayyyyyyy!!! So happy i am:D

My topic is selected for this week Indispire:)




Thank you everone...:)
My take on the topic would be online soon...

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Do Right - Kare kahin, kare wahi jo sahi


I have my own half story to share. It was end of July 2007 when I got to hear the task done by ‘Satyam Foundation’. My batch of so called ELTP’s were told that each year, Satyam Foundation help some MCD schools celebrate Independence Day. I was like, what?  What does Satyam Foundation do in that? All schools celebrate it. Then, we were told – No. There are MCD schools which do not have funds to arrange these functions. They just declare another holiday to children. “So, are you interested?”

Not being into any projects and just sitting idle in front of human machines, we said yes. Teams were formed and we were a team of 6 youngsters all from Northern India except one being a localities’. Starting next week, we had to visit the school assigned to us and plan out the celebrations.

First day when we reached the school, we travelled some streets of Hyderabad, we would not have thought of going into our dreams. We had only being living in posh areas of Begum-pet and chilling out in air conditioned malls having fun. After 30 minutes of auto drive, we reached the school.

The school was a small 2 storied (ground and first floor) building with a narrow entrance. As we entered into the building, we could see 2 big rooms in front of each other both locked. Through the windows of one of the rooms, we could figure out that it was some sort of administration office cum principal’s cabin. The other room had windows shut. There was a small earthen compound and a stair case. We were soon greeted by few enthusiastic children who offered us to take us to their teacher. Thanks to the local girl into our group. The teacher was happy to see us and he told us that Satyam Foundation dis this in their school last year as well. He said, we could come to the school every day and take 2 hours of kid’s time for the preparation.

It was a primary school from class 1 to V with I think 4 or 5 teachers may be less. The first floor had 3 or 4 rooms, I do not remember exactly. On asking about the locked room at ground floor, the teachers told us that is was a class room which was forcefully occupied by some local goons. Now a family lives there. What? School property forced occupied! We thought it only happened in Bollywood/Tollywood movies.

Never mind, we got unbelievable response from the children when we asked then about who wants to give a dance performance, singing, speech, skit or anything. Slowly we were on track and teams were formed for different slots. Every day we entered the school, the children were delighted to see us. They would jump around us all the time. They would almost drop us to our PG. we had fun.

Finally, the D day arrived. We had some biscuits etc. from Satyam Foundation to be distributed among children.  Our team decided that we would contribute some small money from our pockets and give 2 bananas each children as a token of thanks to our task. We had super-duper fun getting the children ready for their performance. The teachers were amazed that we made children do everything from anchoring to stage delivery. We were just sitting smiling, clapping or putting on the makeup on little girls. Cuties looked so happy that we thought that they would not take a batch for a week!

It was not over, we had a surprise performance at the end. Group of 6 children along with their bhaiya and didi’s, came to stage and sing the song – ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha, Hindustan Hamara’. Teachers had tears in their eyes. When did u kids teach this Hindi song to them and participate yourself as well! We distributed the treat and left the extras along with teachers to be used further.

The children took a promise from us that we would visit again. But, we never did. May be we got too busy in our lives. Sorry kids..:(

Today, when I saw this half story, It instantly reminded me of above story. I always thought, the teachers of that school were doing a noble job. They were indeed. But they were paid to do that. This real life hero Mr Chandra Kumar Pradhan from Megma is an inspiration for anyone who ever said – “I want to do something for the education of Kids”.

9,900 ft above the sea level, there is a place called Megma at the tip of west Bengal. It has a 2 room building which is called “Saraswati Mandir School”. Mr Pradhan along with teacher Neela ji is lighting up the future of 20 rays of hope to a bright shining sun. Now, this is what I would call – India Shining.


The peeling walls does not stop these 2 brave hearts to get 20 tulips bloom.
The shaky benches are not an excuse to let the roots grow strong.
Cracked blackboard still displays the lectures clearly.

When I heard that Mr Pradhan wanted to be teacher since his grade 4, I could not help but remember my own school essays on “Your Aim in Life”. I always wrote that I want to become a teacher – but I had a selfish reason to that. This aim had the best content to write about and I used to score full.

I salute Mr. Pradhan to live on his words – “I will teach as long as I live.  I want every house should be educated”.
Each One Teach One!

Please, I urge you, beg you, join my hands, anything, to share this COMPLETE story as Mr Pradhan and Neela ji keep the smiles alive. You never know when a story wakes up a sleeping angel.          
Thanks to Indiblogger and “HALF STORIES the Journey of DoingRight” to make me remember my broken promise. I would definitely visit the school again if I ever visit Hyberabad again.


 
Tum bade hoke rasta n abhulo,
Apne bachpan ki ungli pakad chalo…
Kare kahin, kare wahi jo sahi

Friday, April 18, 2014

A Lost Diary – My Inspiration to be a blogger

I have been writing poems from my school days. All though I write them very rarely, but I do write them. I had a small diary which had my precious collection of 6 to 7 poems. One fine day, I was in the state of shock. I turned my cupboard upside down, emptied it, rearranged by carefully shredding each piece of paper. I was tired. I searched whole house thinking that I might have kept it somewhere else. But, I could not find it. My million dollar precious diary was lost…L

Finally, I do not know after how much time (may be few years), I decided to create a blog. A blog which would keep my writings safe. I told this to my brother and he gave a thumbs up. We did some searching, ran our minds and finally came up with the name “Merry Subdued Happiness”.
Yes, my first ever blog was – ‘http://merrysubduedhappiness.blogspot.com’.



Question: What inspired me to be a blogger?
Answer: A lost diary.

I would not lie that the first post on this blog was written entirely by myself. I wrote it and my best friend - Titu – my bro edited it.  Finally, Sunday, August 2, 2009 was the day I posted my first post – sort of introduction to my blog - http://merrysubduedhappiness.blogspot.in/2009/08/merry-subdued-happiness.html

Since then, I have been blogging. I created some more blogs:





Image? The page you are reading now!!!


http://amitasehrawatrecipe.blogspot.in/ - oops it does not have a single post… :P

Sometimes regularly and sometimes after a break. I loved it when I saw my stats growing day by day. A comment on my blog made my day.
Question: What is it that still keeps you going?
Answer: 
  1. Stats
  2. page views
  3. Comments
  4. Name, fame popularity
  5. Having a place where I am not bound to speak/write on anything
  6. AdSense. J (I know you too smiled)



Monday, April 14, 2014

Top 5 places on my wishlist

:) :) :) cannot stop smiling while thinking of this topic. I have been over my husband’s head all the time every time he says that we got to earn big for our kids. And I, I always have the same answer I got to earn big for myself.  The kids, please ask them not to expect much after me. They would have enough education, marriage, but after that, I am all to myself…J
I always dream to travel the world during my life time. I keep saying – “I want to travel so much that every time someone talks about his or her dream destination, I should have an answer that yes I have been there.”

First five instant places that come to my mind when I think about my dream are:

1. PARIS

I am sure Paris, without any second thought is one of the most sought of dream destinations. I am dying to get myself clicked kissing at the top of Eiffel Tower… … ♥♥♥. The city of love and lights top my list.
2. TAJ MAHAL BY MOONLIGHT
I have seen Taj Mahal along with my parents when I was a kid long time back. I also had the funny ‘holding Taj’s top in your fingers’ picture. I cannot find that picture in my albums now. God knows where it has vanished. I revisited the monument of love some time back with my husband and some friends.

The Taj Mahal is said to look at its best - shimmering like a fairytale castle built for a legendary princess, under the full moon light. I have heard that the administration does not let people go all the way in and allow to watch it from the main gate. Still, I am very much ready to spend Rs 500 for half an hour trip to main gate of Taj Mahal on a full moon night.
Following words says it all…
“She smelled the way the Taj Mahal looks by moonlight.”
                                                                   Raymond Chandler, The Little Sister

3. KASHMIR
There won’t ever be a single living creature who do not want to go to heaven. The famous lines – “Is duniya mein agar jannat hai, to bas yahi hai… yahi hai… yahi hai…” meaning – “If there is heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here, , it’s here.” have made the task easier.

I know the pictures in traditional Kashmiri dress on a boat in Dal Lake looks dam funny, but I want to look funny and have that picture in my album. I have a picture of my aunt-uncle (bua ji and fufa ji) where aunt is offering water to fufa ji from a pitcher both dressed in traditional dresses and that’s a million dollar picture♥♥♥.  I want it too with my love.

4. LAS VEGAS
The most popular city of US. City of dreams - known popularly for gambling, shopping, fine dining, and nightlife, Las Vegas cannot be a miss. Chuck Palahniuk said “Las Vegas looks the way you’d imagine heaven must look at night.” How can one miss the chance to heaven…J

My dream to go high after drinking – “Pee k Tull.” must be full filled here.

5. VENICE & ROME
Again, Venice and Rome – Lovers paradise. I really fancy the hearth taking views of Venice and Rome in movies. I have to travel there.


The complete list is long as I talked about my retirement dream… ;)
Image source: Various sources at google

Posted in response to IndiSpire

Friday, April 4, 2014

10 questions I hate being asked


Being curious is no big deal. It’s the basic human nature. But then, there are some questions you really never want to answer but cannot avoid. Being a married girl with a 2 year old kid, many of my hate list questions are from the same background.
Image Source - http://lmaohaha.com/funny-quotes-about-cheating/

Here goes the list…

  1. What is your salary? How much do you earn a month?
    • It’s none of your business aunt.
  2. I speak to my husband about going to my mom’s house and he says – “Why? What would you do there?”
    • Come on, you need a reason to visit your mom!
  3. What gift do you want for <occasion>?
    • I have a straight philosophy. Gift is not a gift if it’s given after asking. Let you mind work, find out my like/dislike or find out what I am looking for these day if you want to give a useful gift.
  4. Now when I have a baby, people ask – “So, when are you planning another little one?”
    • Are you kidding me? Do I look such a fool to trap myself again! At least not for some years.
  5. Amita, your brother/sister/brother in law would graduate this year. Would you help him/her get a job?
    • Dear, I myself had to struggle a lot in getting the break. I do not own a company.
  6. When is your brother getting married? What kind of girl is he looking for?
    • How do I know?
  7. When are you getting married, dear?
    • This used to be most hated question. Every time some asked me I felt like running away screaming – “Help!”
  8. What are your future plans?
    • I plan to run away on a never ending vacation. Want to join?
  9. When people get to know I am from well versed family – “Why do work?” “Why don’t you stay home and enjoy?”
    • Go and lock your daughters/wives/ into home. Don’t bother me.
  10. You must be feeling lucky that you have got an understanding mother in law?
    • Wonder if she also get to hear the same question. :P

Written in response to Indispire

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Amita - No Limits; Endless; Truth; Friendship

What does your name mean to you? Do you like it or hate it? Why?

Thanks to Indispire that it made me look out for such fun information about myself!

Well, “’Amita’, what does it mean?” I do get this question quite often and I love it. I love it when people are not aware of my name. Amita means ‘No Limits; endless; truth; friendship”. I fell proud when I realize that it’s a comparatively less common name.
Wow as per numerology, I am Powerful by expression, Intuitive by soul and Loving by personality. There is no reason I should not love my name…

What more? On a personal note, 
Amita ka Amit - some stupid daily soap
AMIT A - Amit, come here - This is how one of my friend used to call me in college
Amrita - Many times, people confuse my name with Amrita - I hate that
Amitabh bachchan - Sometimes, the legend has been named and his name pronounced as soon as people hear Amita...

If I have to go in details, here it is:
Amita is generally used as a girl's name. It consists of 5 letters and 3 syllables and is pronounced A-mi-ta. It has two origins – Sanskrit and Hebrew
Meaning: Friend; truth
Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Boundless
Origin: Sanskrit

Here is how I tell my name- Amita is sign language if I have to (I do not know sign language, I go-ogled the signs)

Wait, I found a great site http://www.ourbabynamer.com/ which has some fun information on names.

Amita written in ‘Nautical Flags’.


Symbol
Meaning
A
Alpha
I have a diver below, keep clear at slow speed.
M
Mike
My vessel is stopped, making no way.
I
India
I am altering my course to port.
T
Tango
Keep clear, engaged in trawling.
A
Alpha
I have a diver below, keep clear at slow speed.

I could not help but laugh at my stupid creativity:
I have a driver below, keep clear at slow speed. Oh, my vessel I stopped, making no way. I got to do this – I am alerting my course to port. Yippee, got the message – Keep clear, engaged in trawling. My god, it’s an infinite loop - I have a driver below, keep clear at slow speed.

 Amita written in Hieroglyphics - 

A- Arm
M – OWL
I – Reed
T – Loaf of bread
A – Vulture

Arm an Owl to Reed a Loaf of Bread and Vulture for meat.. :P
Too bad… I know. But this was what I could write instantly.


 I need to go back to work now!!! I loved writing this one. All thanks to Indispire